MCLEAN, Va., July 17, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cognosante, a leading provider of IT solutions and services for healthcare organizations, announced it was awarded the Utah MMIS Independent Verification and Validation Services contract for the Utah Departments of Health and Technology Services. The contract began January 14, 2013 and will end on June 30, 2017.

With proven tools and methodologies used for performing IV &V services for Medicaid system projects in over 10 states, Cognosante will support Utah through the design, development, and implementation of their new MMIS. Cognosante will also support Utah's preparation and completion of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) certification process for the new MMIS after it is implemented. This support will benefit the state of Utah as it moves ahead with their "enhance-build, transfer and turnover" strategic approach to replacing their MMIS and modernizing the information technology that currently supports Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs that cover more than 300,000 enrollees per month.

"This is an important contract win for Cognosante. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Utah to ensure the implementation of the new MMIS is a valuable, long-term asset that supports the state's vision and enterprise plan," stated Jim Joyce, Senior Vice President at Cognosante and General Manager of the company's Medicaid Management Services practice. The Utah Department of Health is Utah's single state agency for Medicaid operations mandated by the federal and state governments to administer state and federally funded medical assistance programs for Utah's most vulnerable citizens.

Cognosante's partnership with Utah began in 2008 as Utah's vendor of choice in support of the Medicaid Assessment Planning Project (MAPP). In 2010, Cognosante continued its partnership with the State by assisting the Office of Consumer Health Services by designing a modular, scalable, flexible IT blueprint for future development of the Utah Health Exchange, known as Avenue H.

About Cognosante

Cognosante is a leading provider of IT services to healthcare organizations. The company has more than 25 years of experience working with 47 states to assist its clients in developing, managing and executing complex healthcare information programs and infrastructures. Its expertise includes standards development, interoperability, business and technical architecture, modular system integration, health informatics, Medicaid, health information exchange, improper payment, health insurance exchange, NwHIN, and The Direct Project. Please visit www.cognosante.com for more information.